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Candice Brown Criticizes Chancellor Rachel Reeves Over Tax Policies Impacting UK Businesses
Celebrity chef Candice Brown, renowned for winning The Great British Bake Off in 2016, has sharply criticized Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, challenging the politician’s assertions of supporting UK businesses. Brown, who currently manages the well-known pub The Green Man in Milton Keynes, has voiced considerable anxieties about the future of her establishment and the wider hospitality sector. Prior to her Spring statement, the Chancellor faced warnings regarding the severe consequences of Labour’s tax increases on the pub industry. Industry representatives have stated that Ms. Reeves’ recent duty elevations, implemented at the end of January, are crippling British gin distilleries and damaging the pub trade.
Publican Candice Brown Expresses “Terror” Over Tax Hikes
Brown, aged 40, took to social media platform X on April 7th to express her deep fear about having to secure additional funds to offset rising taxes. Pubs and other businesses within the hospitality sector are preparing for further financial strain due to the combined effect of increased National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the recently implemented rise in the national minimum wage.
Chancellor Reeves’ Claims of Business Support Met With Scrutiny
On Monday, Chancellor Reeves posted on X, stating: “We are supporting British business in a changing world. Protecting jobs and delivering security for working people.”
Brown responded to this post by retweeting it and directly criticizing the Labour Chancellor for “kicking down” diligent Britons.
In a heated online message, Brown questioned: “Really Rachel??? Own a small business do you? Got to find a 140% increase in tax rates have you? Got to find all that extra money in tax have you? Want to come to my pub and explain to customers why prices are going up again??? Didn’t think so! Unacceptable and harsh. Furious.”
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Hospitality Sector Leaders Warn of “Stark” Impacts
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, informed the Daily Mail of the potential repercussions, stating: “The impacts will be significant, with staff hours reduced, trading hours shortened, prices increased and, in the most detrimental scenario, jobs lost.”
Responding to these concerns, Candice Brown remarked: “Genuinely terrified as to what we are going to do and where we are supposed to find all this extra money.”
Industry Figures Highlight Sector’s Distress
Brown received support from First Dates personality Merlin Griffiths, who commented: “Not even Bake Off winners are protected from this. Seriously, how much pain does a sector have to endure?”
Brown elaborated, stating: “Honestly @MerlinFDC4 I am terrified every day. I work every day in and for my pub, have done since we had it. This is beyond severe what is going on. Diligence doesn’t pay off. It rewards others, punishes you when you’re down and takes everything you have and still comes back for more.”
National Insurance Contribution Rise Intensifies Financial Pressure
Ministers have been cautioned that prices may rise and staff working hours may decrease as the increase in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) is now in effect.
The rate of employer NICs has increased by 1.2 percentage points, from 13.8% to 15%. These payments are now triggered when an employee earns £5,000 annually, a reduction from the previous threshold of £9,100.
Businesses Face Dual Challenge of Tax and Wage Increases
This tax elevation coincides with businesses also managing a 6.7% increase in the minimum wage, which took effect last week.
Chancellor Defends Tax Measures as Necessary for Fiscal Responsibility
Chancellor Reeves stated during last year’s Budget that the measures were projected to generate £25 billion per year by 2029, adding that she did not “take this decision lightly”.
Conservatives Accuse Government of “Punishing Jobs Tax”
The Conservative party has accused the government of “slamming businesses with a punishing jobs tax”.